Month Date, 2018

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Dear Meetings/Hospitality Leader,

Each year, the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) serves members of the government meeting profession through the National Education Conference. Our membership consists of those who plan and/or execute these meetings and the suppliers who provide the facilities and/or services to those planners.

EDUCATION

This year’s three-day event is located in Norfolk, VA at the Waterside Norfolk Marriott, and provides government meeting professionals with the ability to earn up to 13 education contact hours.The education includes the latest in contracting, ethics and logistics that are so important in managing a government meeting appropriately and effectively.

SGMP is a 501(c)(6) educational society whose mission is to enhance the knowledge and expertise of government meeting professionals and whose objectives are to improve the quality of, and promote the cost-effectiveness of, government meetings.

NETWORKING

We are very excited about our plans for this year’s NEC, particularly due to some significant changes for this conference based on the feedback we have received from our long-time exhibitors. The changes that have been made, with particular attention to meeting the growing needs of our supplier partners,include:

  • Part I: Traditional Tradeshow

Though many associations have been trending away from the traditional tradeshow format, it remains a useful way for our suppliers to share information with our planners. The tradeshow will be smaller, shorter and more efficient than in previous years. Booths will be limited to 50-60 10x10’s (or fewer should suppliers opt for a larger booth). The event will be kept to one and half hours.

  • Part II: Supplier Hosted Education Sessions

Supplier hosted lunch at which the sponsor will have the opportunity to decorate and design the room as they please. The session will be an industry related panel discussion and will include a member from the sponsor. This track will count as one of the education tracks for the conference.

AFFORDABILITY
In order to attend the 2018 SGMP NEC, your government market professional will need financial support and time away from the office to gain the education, resources and networking necessary to successfully fulfill your revenue goals.

Our Supplier attendees can book in our room block at one of our host hotels for $159.00 plus taxes. Our primary hotel is Norfolk Waterside Marriott, with additional rooms at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel and Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN. Meals are provided to all attendees in the same area from Tuesday night through Thursday afternoon, so you do not need to pay any additional expenses to network and meet with existing or new clients! There are two options for supplier conference registration $1200 for just the conference or $2200 to exhibit during our trade show. In 2017 our planner attendees had $300 million in meeting buying power and as an exhibitor you receive a pre-conference (2-3 weeks prior to the conference) planner attendee list and approximately a week post conference you will receive a full attendee list. Only exhibitors receive the planner attendee lists.

This educational opportunity is uniquely designed for your meeting professional. I encourage you to provide support to their effort to develop the skills that will enhance your organization’s success.

Regards,

Michelle Milligan, MSW, LMSW, CGMP
SGMP National President